Review article

https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2023.202

The Role of Depression in the Development of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Josipa Perhoč Mrla orcid.org/0009-0002-4553-7840 ; Čakovec County Hospital, Čakovec, Croatia
Tanja Jurin ; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is understood as a condition between normal aging and dementia, with different
etiological factors, clinical presentations and progression profiles. The aim of this paper was to provide a comprehensive
overview of the role of depression in the development of MCI. Most studies have confirmed that there is a significant
connection between depression and the incidence of MCI. Depression can be a risk factor for the development of MCI. The
connection between depression and MCI is achieved through common factors such as vascular lesions, Alzheimer’s disease
pathology and genetic links. Depressive symptoms and changes in white matter may have an additive or synergistic
effect on the development of MCI. Risk factors for the incidence of MCI in individuals with depression include older age,
cumulative depressive symptoms, longer duration of depression, higher severity of depressive symptoms, low, but also
high burden of Alzheimer’s pathology, synergistic additive interaction of lack of physical activity and sleep difficulties,
depression and anxiety, male gender, lower level of formal education and current prescription of antidepressants.
Protective factors that promote the reversion to normal cognitive functioning in depressed individuals include younger
age, non-amnestic MCI, lower severity of depressive symptoms or a reduction in depressive symptoms.

Keywords

Depression; Depressive Disorder; Mild Cognitive Impairment

Hrčak ID:

318767

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/318767

Publication date:

5.3.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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